He lay back in his chair, his hands pressed over his eyes. I could see how they were trembling--how his whole body was trembling.
"Wait!" he said, hoarsely. "Wait!" Then he sat upright, his face tense with anxiety. "Lester!" he cried, his voice shrill with fear. "The cabinet--it isn't guarded!"
"Yes, it is," I said. "At least I thought of that!"
And I told him of the precautions I had taken to keep it safe. He heard me out with a sigh of relief.
"That's better," he said. "Parks wouldn't stand much show, I'm afraid, if worst came to worst; but I think the cabinet is safe--for to-night. And before another night, Lester, we will have a look for ourselves."
"D'Aurelle and Vantine found it," I muttered thickly.
"It won't kill us. We will go about it armoured, Lester. That poisoned fang may strike--"
"Don't!" I cried, and cowered back into my chair. "I--I can't do it, Godfrey. God knows, I'm no coward--but not that!"
"But I'll be ready, Lester. There will be no danger. Come, man! Why, it's the chance of a lifetime--to rifle the secret drawer of Madame de Montespan! Yes!" he added, his eyes glowing, "and to match ourselves against the greatest criminal of modern times!"
His shrill laugh told how excited he was.
"And do you know what we shall find in that drawer, Lester? But no --it is only a guess--the wildest sort of a guess--but if it is right--if it is right!"
He sprang from his chair, biting his lips, his whole frame quivering. But he was calmer in a moment.
"Anyway, you will help me, Lester? You will come?"
There was a wizardry in his manner not to be resisted. Besides--to rifle the secret drawer of Madame de Montespan! To match oneself against the greatest criminal of modern times! What an adventure!
"Yes," I answered, with a quick intaking of the breath; "I'll come!"
He clapped me on the shoulder, his face beaming.
"I knew you would! To-morrow night, then--I'll call for you here at seven o'clock. We'll have dinner together--and then, hey for the great secret! Agreed?"
He caught up coat and hat and started for the door.
"There are things to do," he said; "that armour to prepare--the plan of campaign to consider, you know. Good-night, then, till--this evening!"
The door closed behind him, and his footsteps died away down the hall. I looked at my watch--it was nearly two o'clock.